2016 was a difficult year to be an American soccer fan. Hell, 2016 was a difficult year to be an American. Oh sure, there have been plenty of years where things have looked pretty bleak for the beautiful game here in these United States. Chances are that one can pull back the annals of time and see instances where things looked pretty bloody grim.
But 2016 is an entirely different beast. Much like how the general news and atmosphere around the country has been acrid, vitriolic, bitter, and pretty much any negative word that Roget’s Thesaurus can spew out soccer has taken a dark turn in 2016. Perhaps it is a sign of the times but for every glimmer of hope there was some either negative or depressing news piece that came out.
Here is a just a small sample of some of the “highlights” for 2016 for American soccer:
- United States Women’s National Team threatens to sit out the Olympics due to wage issues
- USWNT fails to medal at Olympics for first time in history
- Hope Solo coward-gate
- United States Men’s National Team loses 4-0 Argentina at Copa America Centenario
- USMNT lose to Mexico in Columbus, Ohio for first time ever.
- USMNT drop first two World Cup Qualification final round matches since 1990
- USMNT U-23’s failure to make Rio 2016
- Jurgen Klinsmann.
- Washington Spirit owner Bill Lynch plays the national anthem before players enter pitch to avoid scandal. Yeah, that didn’t work out well.
- Rayo OKC- Need I say more?
- NASL loses three teams, leaves 2016 with huge questions
- The Portland Timbers, the reigning MLS Cup Champions, go win-less on the road during the 2016 regular season. They become the first team in league history to win the Cup one season and fail to make the playoffs the next.
- Abby Wambach throws dual nationals under the bus.
- Twitter becomes a very bitter and angry minefield between those who support promotion/relegation and those who do not or ambivalent towards it. Even Applebees had thoughts on the issue. Applebees!
*Goes to kitchen to pour a glass of whiskey to drown out the sorrows.
So yeah 2016 has been a pretty shitty year for American soccer.
Now chances are at this point most articles would go into some lengthy discussion about how all of the problems solely rest on United States Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati, MLS Commissioner Don Garber, Soccer United Marketing, or the illuminati. There would be some sort of blanket statement about how things need to change, an arbitrary system of governance needs to be set up, and changes need to be made now! The fix likely wouldn’t involve math or numbers or calculations but there would be some embedded links so that is something.
While that article would certainly procure quite a few page clicks and the occasional angry debate that will go nowhere, it is frankly been written enough. So rather than rehashing tired stories we are going to try something new. We are going to try to say something positive about the state of American soccer.
Now before we get into this list a small observation: by looking at the positives this is not an admission that things are all honky dory for soccer here in the United States. Things are indeed quite dire right now and there are certainly some issues that need to be investigated and reviewed. But there is still a game that is played and it is important from time to time to enjoy it. Sometimes the narrative skews far too much to talking about the politics of the game and not about the game itself.
American players are actually succeeding in Europe.
The question seems to have finally been answered as to whether or not American players can make a dent in European soccer. With the play of Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Monchengladbach), John Anthony Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Bobby Wood ( Lynden Gooch (Sunderland), and countless other players it finally seems as if Americans have gained a foothold in not just England but across the continent.
Even a move like Matt Miazga’s loan from Chelsea to Vitesse Arnhem, normally a sign of doom for USMNT supporters, has gone down with relative little fanfare. Cameron Carter- Vickers’ rise through the Tottenham system and Terrence Boyd’s return from injury has U.S. Soccer looking better than ever before. It is interesting that in a year where the USMNT have been under such scrutiny that Gedion Zelalem’s lack of playing time at Arsenal hasn’t really made a dent in the American soccer media.
Although American soccer players have featured for sides in pretty much ever major European league there really hasn’t been the sheer number of players plying their craft abroad. While their form hasn’t exactly translated to wins for country, at least for now it is nice to see some of them getting a chance in the top leagues in the world.
We are not alone.
Of the two reasons to be hopeful for American soccer this is perhaps the most important. Whereas in years past when things went south it felt like there was no real net of people to talk to about the issues with the game now it feels as if there is a genuine movement. Perhaps it is due to social media or perhaps it is due to the game finally finding a foothold across the country. Whatever the case may be it finally feels that American soccer, in all of its different forms and groups, has a place in the sporting landscape. For someone who has seen their fair share of empty stadiums it is nice to finally feel as if I am not alone.
If there is a silver lining to all of the issues that American soccer has faced in 2016 it is that interest in the game in the lower divisions has never been higher. FC Cincinnati has certainly grabbed the attention of the American soccer media but interest in the game at the lower levels is not just limited to the state of Ohio. Supporters groups associated with sides like FC Chattanooga, Detroit City FC, the Sacramento Republic, Oklahoma City Energy FC, Indy Eleven, Louisville City FC, and many, many other sides have shown that Americans do indeed love soccer and are willing support their team.
Women’s club soccer has also seen a boost this year. While Portland and Seattle have always been major markets for the NWSL improved the addition of the Orlando Pride and improved attendance figures in Boston, New York, Houston, and in Washington shows that the women’s game is finding its own market outside of Cascadia.
That level of organization at the lower levels is starting to build new roots for the game and give supporters more of a say in how their leagues are organized. Lower division leagues are finally listening to their supporters in terms of organization, finding and locating advertising, working at the youth level, and in finding owners that are genuinely interested in growing the game in their market. For every Rayo OKC there is a FC Chattanooga or a Michigan Bucks that is building an identity and a following in their region.
—
While 2016 has not been an ideal year for American soccer, there are reasons for hope. Soccer will never go back to the dark ages where top games are only shown on tape delay at 2am and youth and recreational players are called every nasty name in the English language. The game has finally found its spot in the American soccer culture. The question now is how can it grow and get over these hurdles.
It really all comes back to the supporters. American soccer fans have proven themselves to be some of the most resilient fans not just within the game but in sports in general. They have shown their strength in building successful supporters groups and for affecting how their teams do business. Supporters in both men’s and women’s soccer at the club level are making their voices heard and telling those in power that they are no longer willing to put up with second-rate conditions and organization. The next step may require working with other groups who may have different opinions on the pitch. But if they can come together and find commonality then they may find greater success off of it and make 2017 a bit brighter for the beautiful game.
